Paper received: 19-I-2016 / Approved: 23-XI-2016
Available online: February 30, 2017
Open discussion until April 2018

ABSTRACT

This article is a review of the main aspects of anthropometry and various technologies for the capture of the
anthropometric dimensions. Anthropometry is a scientific discipline that is closely related to Physical Ergonomics and develops in different fields of application. The science studies the dimensions of the human body, the knowledge and
skills to perform measurements, as well as their statistical treatment.

In order to obtain anthropometric data for ergonomic ends, be it for actual or academic studies, it is necessary to
have the appropriate tools for the realization of these types of measurements. There are various existing technologies
and devices for capturing the anthropometric dimensions and anthropometry and although, historically, anthropometry
has been one dimensional and manually registered using different instruments such as, stadiometer, anthropometer,
anthropometric compass, measuring tape, anthropometric chair, among others, the development of technologies has
enabled the creation of systems to capture anthropometric dimensions that do not require direct contact with the person being measured.

The knowledge of human beings' psychophysiological
and anthropometric capabilities is
necessary for carrying out ergonomic studies that
enable the evaluation and design of different work
spaces that adhere to people's characteristics.
Anthropometry for ergonomic purposes aims
to offer anthropometric data that will serve as
a base to size objects that will adjust to the true
characteristics of end users (Gómez, 2005). It is
a scientific discipline closely related to Physical
Ergonomics and developed in different fields of
application. Generally, a worker must adapt to "what
there is," mainly because a great deal of furniture
is imported or not designed to be used by Cuban
workers. The majority of labor tasks nowadays
require the worker to maintain a fixed position for
long periods of time. If a poorly designed workplace
(one that does not correspond to the anthropometric needs of the end user) is added to that fact, it may
drive the user to adopt uncomfortable postures and
make undue efforts leading to discomfort, ailments
and affectations in workers' health.

Pursuant to the above, different research
developed in the Cuban backdrop between 2009
and 2012 was consulted. Said research consisted
of ergonomic evaluation of work places at different
Cuban companies, such as Durero Caribe S.A., joint
venture of the gaphic sector, Medsol, belonging to
the Biopharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Group
(BioCubaFarma), Mathisa, a state-owned company
for the manufacturing of sanitary and hygiene
supplies, Suchel Camacho S.A., a joint venture of
the hygiene sector, among others. The results of
this research made it possible to establish that
there are problems in Cuba with regards to health,
productivity, efficiency and efficacy associated to
poorly designed workplaces (Carmona, 2009; Díaz,
2009; Lubián, 2011; Gallardo, 2011; Barrabí, 2012;
Martínez, 2012).

A total of 84 workplaces were evaluated using
ergonomic evaluation tools, such as Individual
Risk Evaluation (ERIN in Spanish), Rapid Entire
Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper Limb
Assessment (RULA). A total of 319 workers were
surveyed using the Muscular-Skeletal Symptoms
Questionnaire. The results of these evaluations
showed 65% of workplaces are high risk, needing
changes in the short term and 35% require design
changes. The applied survey showed the existence
of muscular-skeletal symptoms, where 92% of
workers surveyed expressed feeling pain in some
part of the body, as well as a high exposure to risk
factors for Muscular-Skeletal Disorders (MSD).

This paper presents the theoretical
substantiation of the main aspects of anthropometry,
anthropometric studies and a critical comparative
analysis of the different technologies to capture
anthropometric dimensions, such as some studies
made with each one of the devices developed.

2. ANTHROPOMETRY ANDANTHROPOMETRIC STUDIES

The term Anthropometry refers to the study
of the measurement of the human body in terms of
the dimension of the bones, muscle and adipose (fat)
tissue. The word anthropometry is derived from the
Greek antropo, which means human being and the
Greek metron, which means measure. The field of
anthropometry covers a variety of measurements
of the human body. Weight, stature (height when
standing), reclined length, skin pleats, circumference
(head, waist, etc.), length of extremities and
widths (shoulders, wrist, etc.) are examples of
anthropometric measurements (Pate, Oria y
Pillsburry, 2012; Vicente, 2015; Norton y Tim, 2012).

Pursuant to the definition above, it can be noted
that anthropometry studies all body measurements
(Geraldo, 2015).

Anthropometry is a quantitative, systematic
representation of the individual for the purpose of
understanding his physical variation. Anthropometry
is used in the design of clothing and equipment, for
example, through anthropometric techniques in
order to establish human dimensions (Nada, Zuhair
y Nawal, 2014).

According to Arellano (2009), anthropometry
is the science for the determination and application
the human body's measurements, both in repose and
in movement. These measurements are determined
by the length of the bones and muscles and the
shape of the joints. Anthropometry for ergonomic
ends looks to offer anthropometric data that can be
used as a basis to measure objects that adjust to the
true characteristics of the end-users (Gómez, 2005;
Narváez, 2013).

All authors consulted coincide in the
stance that anthropometry is the discipline that
studies the dynamic and static dimensions of the
human body, the procedures and techniques to
carry out measurements and statistical analysis. Anthropometry techniques offer data that will
serve in the design of objects taking into account the characteristics of the end users, thus complying
with the ergonomic principle of adapting production
means to workers.

When the workplace does not adjust to
anthropometry of the worker, unnecessary effort
is generated, as well as limitation of the blood flow,
fatigue in certain muscles and different pain. Also,
productivity is reduced, error probability increases,
quality decreases and the number or work related
accidents goes up (Alonso, 2006; Vázquez, 2013;
Narváez, 2013).

There are two types of body dimensions:
structural and functional. Structural dimensions are
made up of the head, trunk and extremities in sitting or
standing position. Functional or dynamic dimensions
are those which involve movement made by the body
in a specific activity (Yáñez, 2009b). This means
that, in static anthropometry, body measurements
are taken by placing the person in a fixed position
and measuring between specific anatomical points. Whereas in dynamics, measurements of the human
body in movement are taken.

Most used, relevant dimensions of the
human body for the purpose of design have been
recommended by authors such as, Alonso (2006),
Panero (2009) and ISO (2010), among others. Anthropometric dimensions vary in individuals of
different ethnicities, time periods, age, gender, etc. (Alonso, 2006). It is necessary to take the population
who will be using the workplace into account in the
design of said workplace.

In an article by Amanda, Nogués y Pinilla
(2008), reference is made to anthropometric studies
in Cuba from a historical perspective. The paper
alleges that the first anthropometric study made in
Cuba was done by the French doctor Henri Dumont
(1824-1878), who between 1865 and 1866, made 27
measurements of 7 persons, 4 of whom where male
and 3 female. All came from the same place and were
of the black race.

Diverse anthropometric studies have been
made in Cuba, the majority of which have been
oriented toward nutrition, sports, infancy growth
and development and school furniture design for
primary schools. Studies oriented toward workplace
design have been scarcer.

The bibliography consulted evidenced the
scarcity of anthropometric data in Latin America
(Goméz, 2005; Franco, 2005; Oliveira, 2011). There
are some scientific studies in countries such as
Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Venezuela offered by
(Ávila and Prado, 1999) in their book "DimensionesAntropométricas de la población Latinoamericana,"
where Cuba was also included. In both editions of the
book, the same study made by Dr. Antonio Martínez
Fuentes of the University of Havana was referenced. In this study, 34 anthropometric dimensions were
measured from a sample of 583 female Cuban
workers from the sectors of agriculture, industry
and commerce. It would be wrong to use this study
for the purpose of design because the sample chosen
represents 0.1% of the existing population, according
to the National Office of Statistics and Information
(ONEI in Spanish). In the sectors used in the study
(ONEI, 2012), more than 35 years have passed
since the study, which didn't include the all the
required dimensions for the evaluation and design of
workplaces, according to ISO (2010), i.e., height of the
eyes when standing, height of the eyes when sitting,
minimum range of arm, among others. It's important
to highlight that the studies published by Ávila and
Prado have been the most encompassing of Latin
America. In Europe and North America, studies have
also been made in countries such as, Germany, Spain,
Italy, England and the United States, among others.

The majority of anthropometric studies
consulted, such as those published by Vicente et al. (2011); Rojas (2013); Alacid, Muyor y Lopéz (2011);
K. Chhagan (2012); Gonzalez et al. (2012); Betancourt
y Manuel (2011); Guerra y Oriendo (2013); Marinho,
Del Vecchio, y Franchini (2011); Lera et al. (2014)
and Gerando (2015), carried out in Cuba as well as
in the rest of the world, refer to the science of sports
and nutrition. Other studies are oriented toward the world of fashion, design and evaluation of school
furniture in public schools, among others.

3. TECHNOLOGIES TO CAPTUREANTHROPOMETRIC DIMENSIONS

Existing technologies to capture
anthropometric dimensions are diverse, as are those
to obtain anthropometric data. The latter can be
acquired in diverse formats: one-dimensional (1D),
two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D). 1D data include heights, lengths and perimeters of
body segments. 2D data consist of silhouettes or
body sections, outlines formed by curves or points
(x, y). 3D anthropometry is made up of cloud points
with coordinates (x, y, z) which represent body
surface. An example is 3D body scans formed by
cloud points which usually contain between 20,000
and 300,000 points. The acquisition, treatment and
analysis of data considerably increase in complexity
from 1D data to 3D (Vicente, 2015).

Anthropometric measuring methods can be
direct or indirect (Alonso, 2006). The direct method
is based on obtaining anthropometric dimension
directly from the person from the anthropometric
points, making use of equipment and instruments
such as those previously mentioned. These tools and
equipment as scarce in our country. The estimated
cost of acquiring a module of this equipment is
$2,668 Médicos-Nutricionales, 2013), which is an
aquisition disadvantage for Cuba.

Leading advantages of using manualinstruments:

Enables measuring all anthropometric
dimensions.

The reading of measurements is direct.

Leading disadvantages of using manualinstruments:

Requires trained personnel for taking
measurements.

Measurements are taken one at a time for
each one of the subjects.

Measuring time, recording and processing
of information are extensive.

With the passing of time, the development of
technologies has enabled the creation of systems that
capture the anthropometric dimensions without the
need to interact with the person directly (indirect
method). Digital 3D anthropometry emerged to
reduce the time of acquisition per subject. The
scanning is reduced to a few seconds and software
processing can provide anthropometrical dimensions
automatically, this way enabling obtaining of data at
any time necessary (Vicente, 2015).

3D scanners can be full body or of a certain
part of the body, such as feet or head. There are
diverse types, such as structured light technology
manufactured by the French company Telmat
Industrie (SYMCAD) or developed by the company
Textile Clothing and Technology Corporation (TC2). Laser projection scanners emerge as an alternative
which, albeit more expensive, the resulting 3D
precision is much greater. These are used in most
anthropometric studies in Spain. As an example of
these scanners, we have those by Cyberware (USA)
and Human Solutions (Germany) (Vicente, 2015).

Some devices use in indirect measurement
technology, their fundamental characteristics,
operation principles and applications are mentioned
below:

a) Infrared thermography machine(Arellano, 2009)

This is basically a thermal imaging camera
within the wavelength bands of 8 to 12 μm. The
camera operates according to the principle of
scanning the object to be measured, which is shown
through a two-dimensional reflecting scanner.

The horizontal scanner carries out detection in
lines of 300 pixels each, with a frequency sample of
135 Hz (to the left and to the right) and operates as
a resonant oscillator moved by a continuous current engine. The vertical scanner configures the complete
image from the diverse lines. 200 lines are captured,
the image repetition sequence being 1.25 Hz. It can
also work with 100 or with 50 lines.

b) SYMCAD (Arellano, 2009; Vicente,2015)

The SYMCAD does not use harmful radiations. The data capture device is fixed (there are no
moving pieces), giving reliable results and it is
easy to maintain. It's patented 3D acquisition
technology is based on the technique of projection
of bands with natural light. It extracts peculiar
delimited measurements by markers arranged on
anatomic points which it automatically detects
and identifies, as well as calculates adequate
anthropometric measurements according to ISO-
7250 e ISO 8559 regulations (perimeter, height,
length...) or specific ones.

c) Body Scanner

The 3D Body Scanner is made up of four
columns, each one including two CCD cameras and
one category 1 harmless laser for sight. The units
are fixed to the floor. Only 8 seconds are necessary
to explore the entire human body. For that, the client
must take off his clothes and remain standing at a
natural posture (Investor's Business, 2014).

The system detects the human body surface
and reproduces a three-dimensional representation
on the computer.

Up to this point, the main instruments
suggested by Arellano (2009) that do not require
physical contact with the user have been described. Other authors, such as Annichini et al. (2013),
Overton (2013), Polviven (2012), Zwane, Moses and
Lawrence (2010), Giachetti et al. (2015) and Bing-ru
et al. (2010) conducted research with the use of 3D
Body Scanner technology. However, in our country,
due to financial issues, it is not possible to acquire
this costly technology (Rodríguez, 2011).

Since 3D scanner first appeared, a number
of anthropometric studies have been conducted
(Vicente, 2015). Anthropometric studies with 3D
scanners in several countries can be cited, countries
such as USA (Size USA), France (Anthropometric
study of the French population), Germany (Size
Germany), Spain (Anthropometric study of the
female population in Spain), among others (Magros,
2012; Rodriguez, 2010.

An anthropometric study conducted in Mexico
began in 2010 with an initial sample of 16,000
people in the 14 most important cities of the country. 3D Body Scanner technology was used and at an
initial estimated cost of 500,000 USD (Quezada,
2010). At the end of the study, 17,364 people of
both genders were measured (Ruvalcaba, 2012). Measurements were taken of persons from 16 to
66 years of age. The sample represents 0.023% of
the Mexican population in this age range and their
objectives were toward the clothing manufacturing
sector, according to the anatomic characteristics of
consumers (Cherem, 2012).

Leading advantages of using a), b) y c)previously explained:

Only very few seconds are necessary to
explore the entire human body.

Enables taking a great number of
measurements in a short time.

Human manipulation is minimum.

Precision and reliability of results.

Leading disadvantages of using a), b) y c)previously explained:

Persons must travel to the place where the
cabin is installed.

Need to train personnel for use.

Expensive equipment.

d) Measuring with a photograph

This technique doesn't require physical
contact with the person either. It's based mainly
on projective geometry which establishes a
mathematical model of a photo camera in the form:
m = PM, where m is the image of the object, M is the
object to be measured and P is the projection matrix. To take the measurements, it is necessary to have a
pattern of reference (Yáñez, 2009a).

Projective geometry is an alternative in
the design and development of software to take
anthropometric measurements in a simple way
through a photo camera (Yáñez, 2009a). The physical
presence of a person ceases to be necessary to the
process of measurement and can be carried out at
any time and place by just sending a file containing
the photos to be processed.

Leading advantages of using photography:

Physical presence of the person ceases to
be necessary for the measuring process. It can be
done at any moment and place by simply sending a
file containing photographs to be processed.

Precision and reliability of results.

Leading disadvantages of usingphotography:

A scope of reference is necessary for each
photograph.

Adequate lighting that remains constant at
all times is essential.

The camera must be placed at the same
location during the entire study.

e) Kinect (measurement withimages and movement)

Kinect, which was originally named "Birth
Project," is a device created by Alex Kipman and
developed by Microsoft for its videoconsole Xbox
360 (Magros, 2012; Samaniego, 2012).

This device was announced for the first time
in June 2009 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo
2009 as a new generation of home entertainment. Movements can be controlled with the use of the
camera, as well as player action and game menus
(Magros, 2012).

The Kinect device has two cameras, RGB and
NIR, and an infrared light source which enables
the NIR camera to obtain data, including in the
absence of light (Magros, 2012). Meanwhile, the
RGB camera is in charge of obtaining information
about color from everything that is situated within
its field of vision. The short-range infrared camera
is in charge of obtaining information pertaining to
depth. The two exterior lenses correspond to the
infrared information while the lens in the middle
corresponds to the color camera (Magros, 2012).

There are different computer drivers for
the use of the Kinect. Among these is Kinect for
Windows SDK, OpenNI, OpenKinect or Libfreenect
(Magros, 2012; Velardo y Dugelay, 2011; Lee et al.,
2015; Clarkson et al., 2014).

Kinect SDK is able to detect the position of
up to six people but it is only able to register the
skeleton of two of them (the closest two), obtaining
the structure containing 20 points detected. In order
to be able to identify postures and positions that are
partially hidden, Kinect has 200 common postures
filled in hidden spaces (Magros, 2012).

This device has been applied in:

Videogames for XBOX 360

Assistant for vehicle matching

Development of orthopedic prostheses

Viewing in operating rooms

Treatment of cerebral paralysis

Weight control

Geographic studies

Robot control by means of body commands

It is an interactive tool that is currently being
used to acquire anthropometric data. This sensor
belongs to a class of devices known as depth
cameras. Comparing many traditional systems that
capture movement, the Kinect does not require the
reference points on the people to be measured to
be marked previously. This substantially reduces
data collection time but also reduces accuracy. The
cost of acquisition of this tool is approximately 150
dollars (Espitia, Sanchez y Uribe, 2014; Robison y
Parkinson, 2013; Samaniego, 2012).

In spite of being a tool which is still under
development for the capture of anthropometric
data, some studies have been conducted as those
published by Velardo and Dugelay (2011); Lee et
al. (2015) an Clarkson et al. (2014), wherein this
technology is compared to traditional methods.

Leading advantages of using this technology:

Does not require user reference points to
be marked .

Reasonably priced sensor.

Ease in the preparation of different
environments.

Connects to a computer.

Leading disadvantages:

The user must carry out a series of tasks
that are commanded by the study maker.

The computer to be connected to the device
must have a specific driver to be able to use the
Kinect.

Kinect software does not allow tracking of
skeleton when using more than one sensor at the
same time.

f) Android application foranthropometric measurement frommobiles

Android is an operating system originally
thought of for mobile phones but subsequently
being used on tablets and other devices such as
appliances, television sets or watches. What makes
it different is that it is based on Linux, an operating
system nucleus that has no cost is open and on a
multiplatform (Vicente, 2015).

This android application for mobiles consists
of taking two photographs, one of the front and
a profile. The person will have to place himself as
the silhouettes on the phone screen indicate. The
application then extracts the outline of the person for
each photograph using image treatment techniques. The Smartphone was the chosen means both for
image capturing and subsequent treatment in order
to obtain necessary data for 3D reconstruction, as
well as the necessary anthropometric measurements
(Vicente, 2015).

Once the 3D model is reconstructed by means of
own libraries developed at the Biomedical Institute
of Valencia (BIV), the necessary anthropometric
measurements are calculated. These will serve
for both clothing manufacturing and a future
virtual dressing room or future applications to be
developed (Vicente, 2015).

Comparisons were made with 18 dimensions
obtained with the new application and a 3D
Scanner. There were smaller and larger differences,
for example, in the height at the half-way point of
the neck, the error does not reach 1% (1.46mm
difference). However, in the length of the front thigh
the error is over 35% (86.8 mm difference). The
author of this application affirms that the algorithm
for the calculation of the anthropometric dimensions
can improve, since the available version at the time
of the project was the first version (Vicente, 2015).

Because it is a recent project, there are still no
possible advantages and disadvantages available.

Table 1shows a summary of the criticalcomparative
analysis of the main characteristics of
technologies that have been used for measuring or
capturing anthropometric dimensions.

From the analysis depicted on table one it is
deemed that of the techniques used, the manual
measurement from instruments is the only one that
has direct contact with the subject of measurement. It can be highlighted that measuring time is less. The author considers that in the measurement
with photograph technique, although it is not
possible to capture circumference and perimeter,
it is possible to capture the necessary dimensions
for the anthropometric design of a workplaces. Additionally, from the analysis to date, this is the
method that offers the greatest possibilities for this
research in Cuba given the cost, possible precision
to be achieved, as ascertained by studies with this
technology, and the fact that it is not necessary to
transport the objects to be studied.

4. CONCLUSIONS

The analysis conducted of the different aspects
of anthropometry and anthropometric studies in
Cuba and the rest of the world helped evidence the
need for anthropometric dimensions in the Cuban
population, mainly the current labor force, which presents affectations in health fundamentally
related to the poor design of workplaces.

The Cuban anthropometric studies conducted
are fundamentally directed toward the science of
sport, nutrition and infant growth and development. These studies contribute a methodological value to
the doctoral research based on the design of a model
for the anthropometric study and evaluation and
design of a workplaces, as well as a software tool
that will increase the efficiency and efficacy in the
practical application of the model. It also contributes
toward perfecting the provision of the anthropometry
laboratory for the subject of Ergonomics in pregraduate
graduate and masters courses.

For the realization of anthropometric studies,
we use manual instruments, infrared thermography,
SYMCAD, BodyScanner, measuring with photograph,
Kinect and Android application for anthropometric
measurement from mobiles. In the criticalcomparative
analysis of these techniques, taking
into account the anthropometric dimensions that
enable capturing, the cost of acquisition, training of
personnel that will take measurements, precision,
measurement time and the need to transport the
subjects to be studied, it is considered that the
technology for capturing anthropometric data that
offers the greatest possibilities at this time for this research in Cuba, is measuring from photograph.